If you or someone you know is taking RAZADYNE® (galantamine HBr), we have important information to share with you. It has recently come
to our attention that there has been some confusion in the prescribing and filling of two commonly prescribed
pharmaceutical products. RAZADYNE® is a product for the treatment of the symptoms of mild to
moderate Alzheimer’s Disease marketed by Ortho-McNeil Neurologics®. ROZEREM™ (ramelteon) is a product for the treatment of insomnia, marketed by Takeda Pharmaceuticals America, Inc.
If you are a physician, please click here to learn about what you can do to help reduce error. If you are a pharmacist, please click here. For patients and caregivers, click here.
How were the medications confused?
The two medications share a similar starting dose of 8 mg. There have been a few reports of "look-alike, sound-alike" confusion between the two when prescriptions were presented at the pharmacy.
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What can patients and caregivers do to help minimize errors?
- Talk with your healthcare professional to make sure you have a complete understanding of your prescription before leaving their office
- Know the name and strength of your prescribed drugs
- Verify the information with the pharmacist before your medication is dispensed
- Double-check to make sure you are receiving the correct medication when refilling prescriptions at the pharmacy
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How can healthcare prescribers help minimize errors?
- Be alert to the possibility of confusion
- Write full and legible prescriptions for these products and communicate oral prescriptions clearly
- Use both brand and generic names when communicating drug names
- Discuss the indications and proper use of these medications with patients
- Alert patients and caregivers that they should carefully check the medication they receive and promptly bring any questions or concerns to the attention of their pharmacist
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How can pharmacists help minimize errors?
- Be alert and educate all staff members to the possibility of confusion
- Separate RAZADYNE® and ROZEREM™ from each other on the shelf
- Confirm both brand and generic names prescribed on written and oral prescriptions
- Verify any information that is not clear with the physician before filling a prescription
- Use both brand and generic names when communicating within the pharmacy
- Counsel patients and caregivers about the brand and generic names and proper use of these medications
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What if I have additional questions?
The Ortho-McNeil Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC Customer Communications Center is available to
address any additional questions healthcare professionals may have at 1-800-526-7736 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1-800-526-7736 end_of_the_skype_highlighting between the hours of 9:00 am - 5:00 pm EST, Monday through Friday.
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IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
The most common side effects with RAZADYNE®/RAZADYNE® ER are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Typically, these side effects are mild and temporary.
RAZADYNE®/RAZADYNE® ER may not be for everyone. Some people experience a slowed heart rate, which may lead to fainting. Serious stomach problems can occur in people taking medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or those at risk for stomach ulcers.
Please see full US Prescribing Information.
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